GOMACTech: Avalanche Technology Space Grade MRAM Driving Data Centers in Space

Avalanche Technology, Inc. announced the release of its white paper (WP) entitled Data Centers in Space – The Key to Solving Satellite Network Scalability and Resilience.

Leveraging domain expertise in HPC architectures, cloud network topologies, storage, advanced memory technologies and radiation effects to put forward innovative solutions for the defense and industrial commercial base. The WP will be available to those who register on the company’s website or drop by the firm’s booth at GOMACTech 2023. Held March 20-23, 2023 in San Diego, CA, the conference focuses on advances in systems being developed by the Department of Defense and other agencies.

Widespread investment in satellite technology driven by national security and commercial interests from communications and intelligence to navigation and the search for habitable ecosystems has resulted in an explosion of satellite networks. Legacy satellite architectures and their networks face increasing challenges to scalability and resilience, which require transformative levels of distributed intelligence and storage similar to those experienced in the evolution of terrestrial IoT networks. Fairly limited in capability today, these satellites must achieve levels of autonomy and responsiveness not yet available in order to deal with real time threats, both natural and manmade.

The WP paints a backdrop for why satellite network scalability and resilience are nearly impossible without a reimagined architecture centered around distributed intelligence and storage. By examining key challenges from the unique environment and weaving in learnings from the successful transformation of terrestrial IoT networks, data centers in space are not only possible, but they may also serve as the lynchpin for autonomous satellite capability and at the envisioned scale. The WP drills into system architectures, including the critical storage subsystem, enabled in part by innovations from the company, namely Space Grade MRAM solutions.

“Avalanche’s Gen 3 Space Grade MRAM solutions are providing value to a variety of aerospace and defense applications, but few as compelling as space, where the inherent radiation immunity combined with high density, endurance and reliability provide a platform for disruptive innovation”, said Danny Sabour, VP, marketing and business development. “From idealized boot solutions with in-orbit upgradability so that satellites can adapt with evolving mission needs and threats to a more resilient and scalable satellite network with critical distributed storage, Avalanche is committed to a pace of innovation typically synonymous with terrestrial technology, now and in the future.”

Gen 3 Space Grade MRAMs
The Gen 3 Space Grade families are offered as a standard product in parallel with asynchronous SRAM-compatible timing and Dual QSPI high speed serial interface in various density options from 1 to 8Gb. Designed for high-reliability with multibit error correction and industry 10^¹⁶ write cycle endurance, data is always non-volatile. The devices are offered in small footprint packaging and extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 125°C) with a JEDEC qualification flow, where every device goes through a 48-hour burn in before being shipped to customers. There are additional qualification screening and packaging options available through partners.